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This phrase has been parroted countless of times by countless people. We’ve got musicians, critics, music lovers, hipsters, posers, hippies, whatever else there is.

Is it, though? Really?

Last Saturday night found me at a bar in the hopes of drowning my thoughts of the Harry Harlow Project I’d just seen at the Powerhouse (still no clue wtf it was about) in mindless music.

The first band was meh, the second was alright, the third was okay, and then I left for a bit. Came back, and found these guys setting up.

(Image courtesy of The Trip’s official website)

The frontman reminded me of an Australian Adam Levine, the other vocalist reminded me of a lovable lumberjack who happened to be really good at the guitar. In fact, they looked like a straight-out rock band.

Then they started playing. Without hesitation, you start noticing that this band is different. Their sound is more slick and together and than the raw humdrum beats currently riding the Brisbane music scene; and truth be told – they didn’t even sound Australian! That chord struck with me even more past the chorus of their first song, when Australian Adam Levine up there stopped playing his guitar, grabbed the mic off the stand and started rapping, complete with Jay-Z moves and crotch-grabbing galore. Back that up with a keyboardist at the side and a sick, sick DJ at the back, you’ve got me going:

What I loved about them was the fact that they didn’t find the need to conform to a simple 3-piece band with 2 guitarists and a drummer to keep up that ‘WE R A ROCK BAND’ persona – they were expanding as much as they wanted, dragging along a bassist, keyboardist and a DJ from God knows where – as long as they were hitting the notes of the unique sound they were going after.

And Goddamn, were they hitting that note.

They had a good rhythm coupled with an easy energy on stage and they genuinely looked like they were enjoying themselves up there. You’re probably thinking I sound stupid for pointing out these things but the next time you’re at a gig, look out for it. Look out for the ones on stage. Do they really look like they’re enjoying themselves, or are they too concerned with how they look, how they sound, what the next song is, the audience’s reaction?

I digress.

The Trip finished their set and I was already planning to get their album on iTunes. Naturally, I went online and googled them, found their website and found this:

They’re also frisbee enthusiasts.

Everyone else can jump on the bandwagon and label themselves “music purists” and state there’s nothing but the music; it’s always “all about the music”. But you know what? Fuck that. I thought The Trip was a pretty kickin’ band, with a unique sound and if I didn’t have a dollar for every time I heard that.

But when I found out that they play Frisbee too? They became a pretty kickin’ band with a unique sound WITH A SIDE SERVING OF AWESOME.

So, no, it’s not always about the music. Sometimes, it’s about the people behind it too.

ABOUT US

Krytyk Kollektiva whittles out the latest and greatest music from Brisbane to Berlin, mined by our team of creative and critical writers to show you what we think is a hit or miss.

4 writers, one thought: to educate. To inform our audiences of diverse music, whether it’s a new opinion on a well known act, or a great band in a country with only religion for entertainment. We source the content and assess its success.

But regardless of what we think, it is you the audience that has the power to sit up and listen.

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JULIAN

I’m Julian. I fucking love Weezer and Nirvana. I criticise everything from albums to pieces of toast. I listen to all sorts of music from hardcore to classical. Listening to music takes up all my time. When I’m not listening to music, I’m thinking about listening to music. I drink way too much Coca Cola and sleep way too little, so excuse me if somewhere mid-blog it only reads, “ZZZZzzzzzZZZzzzZZZ.”

JES

Pleased by clean hands, black coffee and resort soundtracks, I, Jes, always aim to prompt thought and inspire action in my work. I love electronic and avant garde music, generally sourced from the past, the Scandinavians, the states or my backyard. I write in the hopes that I can share something a little left of centre with my readers, challenging their thoughts on "real" and authentic music and the role of the Critic as the educator. I hate jazz.

AZZY

AzzyI am the spirit of wanderlust, the keeper of the keys of songs. I don’t bite down on my words and I sink my teeth in the gaps and breaths of every chorus. I weave through indie and land on folk, pop, the occasional rock. Also, if you pretended you understood everything I just said, you’re a tool. I’m everything your mom didn’t warn you about. I’m serious about the music bit though.

YING

I am Ying, a mixture of contradictions. I have a strong belief that perfect music should live within an environment in the right time, right place and with the right person. That is why I never set up my favourite song as my alarm clock! I criticise the music I am passionate about. In that case, you may recognise my opinions purely as a music lover or hater. But remember, sometimes, “how much love” and “how much hate” can be turned in to each other, as I said before, a mixture of contradiction!